It’s So Loud in Here!

We went to an incredible butterfly-themed birthday party for my friend’s daughter, and a local monarch conservancy released butterflies in a tent for the children to explore.
Thea has reached new milestones in the pool, swimming without a floatie and jumping in the water with great gusto and allowing herself to go totally underwater before bobbing to the surface. She’s been having a blast.
We went for a walk one evening…
And ran into old friends from the neighborhood, who’d come back to visit.
We parked ourselves on their grandmother’s front porch, and the kids ate ice cream.
My daughter got dressed in the ’80s.
And my son suddenly began looking like a first grader (with a sippy cup).
Our friends came over for rainy day fun, and we were at our most hygienic best while decorating cupcakes.
Aren’t they beautiful?
Tracy brought cakepops to share!
And posed for this great picture with her younger daughter, who just turned one.
The besties grudgingly said goodbye.
It was a good playdate.
On Mother’s Day morning, Finn showed me his latest stuffed animal fixation. He’s latched onto Cindy, the puppy that was my mother’s childhood toy.
The family made a Mother’s Day call to Nana.
And Finn and Thea waited eagerly for Nonna and Baba to arrive.
Finn greeted my mother with the flower pot project he’d made for her at school.
And Thea showed me the plants she’d picked out for my Mother’s Day gift.
We feasted on cheese pie, tomato pie, corn-on-the-cob and blueberry parfaits. My mom brought monster muffins with hidden veggies (shhh!).
We went for a walk, and Thea delighted in jumping from the hedge to surprise my parents.
Then we said goodbye…
And Jason and Thea mowed the lawn.
Finn ate hot chocolate and practiced using a spoon.
Thea colored her house for a little while…
And then they smashed it down.
Finn ate some carrots (!!!) This is a big breakthrough! Veggies!
Jason and Thea did some fancy armwork while making seafood chowder for my Mother’s Day dinner.
Finn ate shrimp for the first time, and asked for more and more!
They invented a new game.
And settled into their boxes for the evening.
Happy Mother’s Day!